The Hoover Dam was built during the 1930s and took five years to complete. It was constructed to regulate the river flow. Before the dam was built, the Colorado River’s flow was unpredictable, causing both devastating floods and periods of severe water shortages. The dam also stores water for communities and agriculture, and generates hydroelectric power.
The dam created Lake Mead, which, when full, is the largest reservoir in the United States by water capacity.
We saw boats close to Hoover Dam on Lake Mead. As boaters approach the dam, a security barrier marks a restricted area and prevents them from getting any closer. Security is very strict at the dam. Vehicles entering the Hoover Dam must pass through a security checkpoint where security personnel conduct inspections.
Hoover Dam sits on the Colorado River, right on the border between Nevada and Arizona. In fact, if you stand on one side of the bridge overlooking the dam, you are in Nevada, and as you continue walking across the bridge, you are in Arizona! Clocks on each side reflect the time difference between the two states during part of the year. This is because Nevada observes Daylight Saving Time while Arizona does not.
The four large towers rising from Lake Mead are intake towers that channel water from the lake to the dam’s turbines. As the water flows through the turbines, it generates hydroelectric power, producing electricity that is delivered to communities in Arizona, Nevada, and California. Based on our time here and the intense heat, we imagine those communities need all the electricity they can get to keep their air conditioners running.
The dam is 726 feet tall which is about as tall as a 60-story building! It contains enough concrete to build a two-lane highway across the entire United States.
Onto Las Vegas! The boys were excited for a night swim at the “campground,” another one of those places that may or may not qualify as camping!
Our neighbors at the campground had a cool animated LED light display!
The day after seeing Hoover Dam and getting settled at the RV site, we spent the morning checking out Las Vegas. We drove down Las Vegas Boulevard, commonly referred to as The Strip. One of the first things we spotted was the Little White Wedding Chapel, a Las Vegas classic!
And Mandalay Bay, another Las Vegas staple!
We had fun visiting the themed resorts that recreate famous cities and places from around the world. Our first stop was Venice, Italy.
The sky above is actually inside one of the casinos, designed to make you feel as though you are outdoors in Venice. As the day goes on, the sky changes from daytime to nighttime, adding to the illusion of being outside.
We even saw the gondola passing through the Canals!
After leaving Venice, we contined strolling around the city. This hotel atrium featured a promotional display for The Wizard of Oz at the Sphere. The Sphere is Las Vegas’ iconic spherical entertainment venue known for its massive wraparound LED screen and immersive audiovisual experiences.
We visited the Flamingo Hotel and Casino where the boys loved watching the koi fish in the pond.
These glass sculptures, by the famous glass artist Chihuly, decorate the ceiling above the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in the Bellagio Hotel and Casino.
Asbury strolling through the casino like he’s on the security team. Maybe it’s the sunglasses indoors!
We were able to see the Bellagio Fountains during the day!
Then we were off to the city of Paris in Las Vegas. Complete with a restaurant atop the Eiffel Tower replica and grand Parisian architecture, in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip.
As we continued our stroll along Las Vegas Boulevard, we came across Wynn and Encore, two of the city’s most recognizable resorts, known for their striking bronze-glass towers and elegant design.
And here we found ourselves in New York City!
This is the Luxor Las Vegas, pyramid-shaped resort inspired by ancient Egypt. At night, its Sky Beam shoots straight into the sky, which can be seen far and wide. We were able to spot it from our campground!
Towering above the Las Vegas skyline is the Stratosphere, a hotel and casino. Its observation tower offers views of the Las Vegas Boulevard and surrounding desert.
After a morning spent exploring Las Vegas, we headed back to the campground to enjoy the amenities. The boys can never get enough of the pool!
That evening, we headed back to Las Vegas Boulevard to see the sights at night. We found ourselves back in Paris!
We stopped by the M&M and Hershey stores.
The Hershey’s store featured two unique Statues of Liberty, one made entirely of chocolate and the other of Twizzlers.
And here we are back in New York City. This is a replica of the famous Brooklyn Bridge.
Parts of the New York-New York Hotel and Casino are designed to feel like you are walking through New York City streets and neighborhoods, including street lamps, storefronts and sidewalk-style places to eat.
All the details make you think, “New York.”
On to another classic Las Vegas sight, the Bellagio Fountains at night!
A few photos of The Sphere lit up at night.
A few more sights of the changing colors of Las Vegas at night!
Next stop: Utah’s “Mighty Five,” five national parks in one state!